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Prius cuts off when in park

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by preachERR, Oct 20, 2017.

  1. preachERR

    preachERR New Member

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    Opelika, AL
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
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    ----USA----
    I have a 2004 Prius with 180,000 miles on it. I have never really had any problems with it and have owned it for 5 years now. Earlier this week I was sitting in it eating lunch and an error message (car with exclamation point) appeared on the multi information display and the engine turned off. I tried to restart it but the engine would not restart. All electronics appeared to be functioning. I disconnected my battery and reconnected it, and it restarted. I was able to drive home without any problems. The next day, it did the same thing. I was able to do the same thing to get it running. So then I decided to take it to a local parts store to check for any codes but it had none. I have noticed the red "brake" light will turn off and on while sitting in park with the parking brake engaged. I really don't want to throw a bunch of money at it trying to guess at the problem. Any thoughts on what it could be?
    I have never replaced the battery in case y'all are wondering.
     
    #1 preachERR, Oct 20, 2017
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome!
    check the 12v health. if it's not that, you need to read the trouble codes.
     
    #2 bisco, Oct 20, 2017
  3. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    I still need to figure out some way to get a nickel every time somebody posts on PriusChat and says that. :)

    When those warning lights come on, it's because there are codes. The wrinkle is, the tools at the local parts store often can't read the codes (except for the most basic, standard-for-all-OBD-II-cars ones). So you end up thinking there weren't any codes.

    As bisco suggested, getting the car scanned with a tool that can read all the codes is probably a good next step.

    -Chap
     
    #3 ChapmanF, Oct 20, 2017
  4. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    When I first saw that I thought you were going to quote replacing the 12V battery,
    I claim a nickel for every time somebody says to check or replace the 12V battery.
    Between you & I we will bankrupt @bisco I think. :D
     
    #4 Prodigyplace, Oct 20, 2017
    Last edited: Oct 20, 2017
    05PreeUs likes this.
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i have to pay the nickel?:oops:
     
    #5 bisco, Oct 20, 2017
    05PreeUs and Prodigyplace like this.
  6. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    Me too. :D
     
    #6 dolj, Oct 20, 2017
  7. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Ok with me if you want those nickels. I don't think I could handle the weight of them all.

    -Chap
     
    #7 ChapmanF, Oct 20, 2017
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  8. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    Between trouble codes and 12 V battery I think @bisco post count would be cut by a third if they were eliminated. Remove “All the best” and another large chunk disappears. Is @bisco a robot? :eek: :D
     
    #8 Prodigyplace, Oct 21, 2017
  9. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Most likely you have a worn out very old original hybrid battery.
    It’s the second most reported thing here. It exhibits itself as fast charging on the mfd and fast discharging and tanked mileage. Throws master caution light on dash and the car turtle icon on upper left of mfd.

    #1. Bad 12 volt battery. That seems quite a mystery to people.
    #2. Bad hybrid battery. It’s time. Thousands of posts about about it.
    Unfortunately even though it’s a huge post count and a very specific
    Issue there is no exact forum for it. Info is spread around all over the g2 forums so you have a lot of reading to do, use the search tab at the top and search

    Hybrid battery
     
    #9 edthefox5, Oct 21, 2017
  10. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Based on these three statements, I suggest looking at the 12v battery first. (Where do I send my nickel?) :p You can have it load tested at an auto parts store for free.

    If OK, you'll need to get the codes read by a system that can see Toyota specific hybrid codes. Dealers diagnostic fees tend to be high so check with a hybrid repair specialist or research methods to read them yourself (techstream, OBD readers, smartphone apps, etc).
     
    #10 fotomoto, Oct 21, 2017
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  11. preachERR

    preachERR New Member

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    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
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    ----USA----
    Ok I replaced the 12v battery. I cranked her up and within 5 minutes, same beep and master warning light appeared but the engine is still cranked and I still have my "ready". I haven't had time to take it to a shop to hook it up to a more in depth monitor. Any other ideas before I decide its fate? Is there a test I can do myself to check the health of the high voltage battery?

    If it comes down to the high voltage battery needing replacement, I'm going to sell it.
     
    #11 preachERR, Nov 1, 2017
  12. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    get ready to sell it.
     
    #12 edthefox5, Nov 1, 2017
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